Lamar Odom Just Blasted ESPN's NBA Rankings and His Pick for #1 Will SHOCK You

A Legend Steps Out of Retirement to Fire Back

Lamar Odom doesn't do interviews often these days. But when TMZ caught up with the basketball legend at LAX this week, he couldn't resist weighing in on something that apparently has him fired up: ESPN's newly released top 100 NBA players list.

And let's just say... he's not happy with what they put out.

The retired NBA star had strong opinions about who ESPN got right—and more importantly, who they got spectacularly wrong. But when asked about the #1 spot, Odom's answer was so unexpected, it left jaws on the floor.

According to TMZ Sports, Odom believes ESPN completely missed the mark with their rankings. The question everyone's asking now? Who does Odom think deserves the crown?

His answer might just start a war on social media.

The List That Has Everyone Talking

ESPN's top 100 NBA players rankings are always controversial. Every year, fans, analysts, and players themselves take to social media to defend their favorites and trash the ones they think got snubbed. It's become as much a part of NBA culture as the draft itself.

But this year's list apparently struck a nerve with Odom in a way most rankings don't.

According to the TMZ report, Odom's gripe isn't just a casual disagreement—he actively called out the list for missing the mark on several fronts. For someone who spent 14 seasons in the NBA and won championships with the Lakers, Odom's perspective carries weight. He's seen greatness up close. He's played alongside and against some of the best to ever lace up.

The fact that he felt compelled to voice his opinion publicly suggests ESPN may have really stepped in it this time.

Fans and analysts have been debating ESPN's rankings since they dropped, but having a legitimate basketball legend join the chorus of criticism? That's when things get interesting.

But here's where it gets wild—Odom's specific pick for #1 is something nobody saw coming.

The Bombshell: Jalen Brunson for Number One?

According to TMZ Sports, Lamar Odom believes Jalen Brunson—yes, the New York Knicks point guard—should be ranked as the #1 player in the NBA. Not second. Not top five. Number. One.

For context, Jalen Brunson has emerged as one of the most electrifying guards in basketball, leading the Knicks to competitive seasons and earning All-NBA consideration. But ranking him above perennial MVP candidates like Luka Dončić, Jayson Tatum, and Joel Embiid? That's a take that goes against virtually every major ranking released this year.

Odom's perspective suggests he values Brunson's impact, leadership, and overall play at a level that most analysts and ESPN voters simply don't—at least not enough to slot him atop their official list.

The LA Lakers legend didn't hold back, telling TMZ Sports that ESPN got their rankings fundamentally wrong. Whether Odom was speaking purely from a player-evaluation standpoint or if there's more nuance to his argument remains unclear, but the message was clear: he thinks the rankings are off, and they're off in a big way.

This isn't just Odom being contrarian for clicks, either. When a player of his caliber speaks up about the state of the game, it's worth listening to.

But the real question is: Will anyone in the NBA media take Odom seriously, or will this just be dismissed as one man's hot take?

What's Next: The Fallout Begins

Odom's comments are already rippling through social media. NBA Twitter is split between those who think his Jalen Brunson take is genius and those who believe he's completely off base. ESPN has yet to respond to the critique from the Hall of Famer.

What makes Odom's take particularly interesting is the timing. Coming from a player who won championships and played at the highest level, his voice carries credibility—even if people disagree with his conclusions.

The broader conversation here is about how we evaluate NBA talent. Is ESPN's ranking too conservative? Are they undervaluing Brunson's impact? Or is Odom's take simply too bold to have real merit? These are the questions fueling debates across sports media right now.

As the story develops, keep an eye on whether other current or former players join Odom in his criticism of ESPN's list. If this becomes a trend, ESPN might find themselves under serious pressure to reconsider their methodology.

Stay tuned to CelebBuzz for updates on this developing story.